Near midnight, a panicked dog barks frantically—not to frighten but to beckon. Lois has just driven up to her summer home in a March snowstorm, coming north early to be near her adult daughters. Without hesitation she follows as the dog leads her through the thick pine forest.
Finally she glimpses a young woman lying in the snow, unconscious. Lois taps in 911.
In the morning, the girl has wakened in what the doctor identifies as a state of dis-associative fugue, a form of amnesia. Lois takes in the girl as the local sheriff tries to find clues to her identity.
The nearby vet, a mountain of a man, okays Lois to foster the dog. He’s increasingly attracted to this compassionate but oh so refined woman while Lois finds herself drawn to him. Can they take a second chance on love? And why isn’t anyone searching for the girl? Or is someone?
Another suspenseful romance set on the shore of Lake Superior by a USA Today bestselling author Lyn Cote.
Lyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances! This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category. Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.
This was a good story, set in the community where the other Northern Shore Intrigue novels are set. I do believe this book could also be enjoyed as a stand alone novel.
I often see readers asking for stories with main characters who are a bit older than those in their twenties and thirties. Uncertain Spring has a man and a woman who are both widowers and realize that they might have a chance at love once again. Lois has two grown daughters and some grandchildren, as well.
Those who have read the earlier books in the series will recognize Lois’ daughters as Audra and Megan, who were main characters in other novels. The girls had a rocky relationship with their mother after their father died suddenly. It was nice to read a story from Lois’ perspective.
There is a hint of mystery and danger throughout the book surrounding a young woman suffering with amnesia. Lois did a great job of providing a safe place for this woman, while also working to reconnect with her daughters. The romance that grew between Lois and Jacob felt very natural and I was happy that they found each other.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This story starts out with a punch! Lois Blair leaves her summer residence in Florida earlier than usual and heads to her home on Lake Superior. She has not even gotten out of her car when a dog jumps at her window and she realizes that he is trying to get her attention. She follows him and finds a young woman lying in the snow.
The rest of the book is just as intriguing. As a reader, I was drawn into the mystery of what happened to the woman, family, and unexpected romance. Author Lyn Cote does an excellent job of bringing her characters to life and blending the different aspects of this story into a unified tale.
Although Uncertain Spring is part of a series, it can easily be read without reading the previous books.
I was excited to receive this book from the author as a contest winner in an online book group. No promise was requested or made to review this book, but I enjoyed it enough that I wanted to share. Any opinions expressed here are my own.
Mrs Cote dedicates this book to the Beautiful Apostle Island Lakeshore and the people who welcome guests every summer.
Missing out on being a mom. It is March in northern Wisconsin, winter has not gone away. Lois Blair has left Florida early to visit her daughters. She had been depressed for a long time after her husband died. A massive heart attack, he was not very old. Over ten years gone.
Lois feels she was not the mother she should have been. Audra is married, three children. She got pregnant, not married, boyfriend wanted an abortion. Lois told her daughter to give up the baby, go on with your life. Audra bought a Victorian house, started a business cooking pastries for tourists in cold weather. Audra is a good cook, loves to cook. Megan is getting married in May.
While driving to her home, a home she uses when coming north, she is stopped. A dog is barking, sounds like he is in trouble. She stops, he leads her to a young woman laying in the snow passed out. She calls 9 1 1, an ambulance comes, takes the young woman to the hospital. The dog, Lois names Fella, comes home with her. She is horribly concerned about the young woman. She doesn't know who she is. She has amnesia.
Lois takes the dog to the vet, Dr Jacob Petit, a big man looking more like a lumberjack. She hopes Fella has been chipped, then the hospital could tell who the unknown girl was. He was not.
Lois granddaughter, Evie is eleven, growing up fast. Twin brothers are three years old, she is like a little mother. Lois misses so much living so far away. She would like to get close to her daughters, wants to try. Shirley Robson has been close to the girls, filled in the gap. Shirley has a big house, rents out rooms, is a good cook. Audra and Megan are close to Shirley, she knows so much about their lives. Lois is more than a little bit jealous. The girls love living in this little town close to Lake Superior. A nice place for families.
Dr Petit has been a widow for a year. Can there be a romance coming up? Maybe. Lois never wanted to remarry. Never dated, she had the best marriage.
The girl with amnesia is released from the hospital. Lois takes her to her home. She has the room and the time and will be happy to have her. But it will be work and a problem.
She needs a name, Lois calls her Rose.
The daughters are impressed about how good their mother is, she is invited to go everywhere, Rose is always invited to go with them. Help Megan choose a wedding gown, shopping, out to eat, out of town. Lois fosters a litter of pups, Rose is to help.
Audra and Megan are happy to have their mother back in their lives. They were never mad at her. Staying back in Wisconsin, getting to know one another. This doctor is another reason to keep her in Wisconsin. Maybe.
A cute, sweet story. She is happy Shirley Robson was here for her daughters as she is here for another woman's daughter.
Uncertain Spring by Lyn Cote Northern Shore Intrigue Series Book Five Lois Blair, Audra and Megan’s mom, had been on the outskirts of her girls’ lives for a long time. It was time to change that. So, she decided to come back early from Florida. Winfield, Wisconsin, was still blistery cold, but she missed her girls and granddaughter. Good thing she returned as it seemed she was needed desperately by a dog and his mistress. Dr. Jacob Petit had been alone for a year now. He missed Janey. Now, he stayed busy in his veterinary practice. When Lois brings in a dog that the police hope will give a clue to the dog’s owner, he finds her fascinating. And the more he gets to know her, the more he likes her. After twelve years of being a widow, Lois feels her loneliness for the first time. Now she’s found herself caring for a woman and her dog. And she also finds herself caring for the local vet. It is another beautiful story, a tissue-handy story for those of us who cry easily, and a very intriguing storyline. https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Suspense, too! It all begins with Lois, on her way back to her home on the Lake Superior shore, nearly hitting a Golden Retriever on the road. When she gets out of her car, the dog leads her to another car that has run off the road with a young woman who is cold and barely alive. Lois calls 911, and that is where it all begins. When the young woman awakens in the hospital, she doesn't know who she is or how she came to be there. Lois takes her and the dog in, and takes the dog to the vet to see if he is microchipped, which he isn't, so no help in identifying the young woman there. But while the young woman, who Lois decides to call Rose, and the dog, who she calls Fella, are staying with her, Jacob, the bet, a recent widower, finds excuses to stop by with his Yorkie, Rooter. There's also a subplot involving Lois trying to repair an estrangement with her daughters, Megan and Audra. And as Rose gets closer to figuring out who she is, it seems there is danger in finding out.
I received an ARC of this book from the author, Lyn Cote, via Bookfunnel and this is my voluntary and honest review. I loved this romantic suspense that held my interest from beginning to end. The story begins with a young woman being found unconscious in a late Spring snowstorm by Lois who followed the woman's dog to find her. When the girl wakes up in the hospital she can't remember who she is or that the dog is hers. Lois, a widow, offers to keep the girl and her dog at her home until the police can find out who she is and where she came from. When Lois takes the dog to the local vet who is a widower there is an attraction that leads to love. I like the way that the mystery isn't solved until the end. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good romantic suspense with a HEA ending.
Uncertain Spring is a very interesting, suspenseful romance. I have liked this entire series and this one would not let me put it down! I like all these well developed characters. There are also some very great dogs in this book. The mystery surrounding the girl found in the snow was quite intriguing. Ms. Cote does Christian romantic suspense extremely well. She brought this well written book to a very satisfactory close. If you like clean and intriguing romantic suspense, do not miss this book!
Uncertain Spring is an appropriate title for this mystery story. Lois finds an unconscious girl in a spring snowstorm with the help of a frantic, barking dog. The complication to knowing who she is is complicated when she awakes with amnesia. I love that there are dogs & puppies in the story. Lots of speculation about the girl, healing of family relationships & love for 2 people. I always enjoy Ms. Cotes' writing because a mystery is my favorite genre. She does such a good job crafting a story. I received an ARC. This is my voluntary opinion.
Lois returned home to her two daughters after a long absence. She was wary about how they would treat her and was happy they welcomed her. The night she arrives is full of surprises. She finds a young girl almost frozen in the snow. She discovers that the girl has no idea who she is or anything about her past. Lois takes her in and helps her regain her memory and confidence in living. A lovely warm story of "Giving", giving aid, giving trust, giving hope, and getting in return love.
Fitting Midwest Spring read with an unexpected snow storm, a dog, a mystery woman with amnesia, an overworked vet and a litter of puppies. Theme Innocent till proven guilty. A page turning mystery romance with relatable characters (Lois and Jacob), unexpected twists, delightful dogs, and a mystery woman.
Enjoyable romance/mystery/thriller with an older, capable widow as the heroine. A young girl is found near death in the snow and rescued only because of the brave actions of a dog. Christian faith is touched upon by mention of prayers, maybe a verse or two, and attendance at church. Lots of puppies and kids. I would read another story by this author.
This was a good story with a well-written plot. I love how the characters’ faith shows in their daily lives. I also found the heroine relatable in several ways. There’s a happy ending, but some might find the romance a bit slow. I enjoyed it though. If this sounds good to you, then check out this book.
This Christian romantic suspense novel is excellent. I appreciated it particularly because it features older adults, deviating from the typical focus on younger characters. It's a refreshing reminder that romance isn't exclusive to the young. The book also offers an engaging mystery and thrilling excitement.
A very enjoyable and encouraging story! Just enough suspense, family drama and romance to keep you anticipating where the story would take you. I love the characters, human and furry, and the setting is perfect!
I wasn’t there for my daughter’s, because loosing my husband was hard for me to overcome. Now I feel that I need to make it up to them, so I’m coming back early to my summer house. It’s where I should be…
Oh my I loved this book! So good throughout with very well developed and rounded characters and an awesome plot. Such tasteful, well written drama with a couple events at the end that made a real impression on me!
Lyn Cote’s books span an array of different and interesting plots. This one was a little bit mystery, a little bit love, and a little bit suspense. It definitely keeps your attention.
Another exciting story with one surprising event after the other. The characters are easy to love, and the events keep you reading. It’s a book you won’t want to miss!